It is often taught that Jesus will descend from heaven in a literal human flesh and blood body riding on the clouds. Some believe this because of what several passages both the Old and New Testaments teach.
- Dan 7:13, “One like the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- Matt. 24:30, And they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and glory.
- Acts 1:9, 10, A cloud receive him out of their sight
- 1 Thes. 4:17, We shall be caught up together with him in the clouds.”
- Rev. 1:7: Behold, he comes with clouds.
Are these verses teaching that Jesus would visibly, physically and materially come in a flesh and bone body riding on literal clouds? Many have been taught this for years, it is currently being taught, and many believe it. 5. But that’s not what coming on the clouds mean.
Clouds Often Used Symbolically
Clouds were often used symbolically to represent other ideas. Observe, symbols of the Judgment of God, Isa. 19:1, “The Lord rides upon a swift cloud and will come into Egypt. See also Ps. 18:11, 12. A Second Idea of clouds is the Presence of God and enthronement. This can be seen in one of the most over-looked cloud references in Scripture. Leviticus 16:2: and the LORD said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy-seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. (Lev 16:2)
God’s throne was in enshrouded in the clouds above the mercy seat in the temple And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. (Exo 25:22)
God’s presence was always enshrouded in the darkness within the clouds. At both the dedication of the tabernacle under Moses, and the completion of the temple by Solomon, the glory cloud of God’s presence entered the temple, Ex. 40, 1 Kings. 8. 3. Rev. 15:8 shows this same imagery for the new tabernacle of God.
Clouds Represented God’s Dwelling Place “Out of Man’s Sight”
This is also the meaning of Jesus’ ascent in a could out of man’s sight. Acts 1:10. He ascended to the throne of God in the Presence behind the veil, in the new temple, out of man’s Sight. Heb. 6;19, 20.
The scriptures teach that Christ dwells in unapproachable light which no men have seen nor can see, nor are able to see. Note Young’s literal translation. “Who only is having immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no one of men did see, nor is able to see, to whom is honor and might age-during! Amen.
Jesus’ Going Away And Return, Jn. 14:1-3
Jesus goes away to prepare a place for his saints He returns to receive them to himself, Jn. 14:1-3. Would He return visibly? Jesus never promised to return visibly or physically. If he did or does, it would contradict 1 Tim 6:16., and 1 Jn. 1:1. John taught they had seen, handled
Jesus Manifests Himself Differently To Disciples Versus The World
To the world he would never be seen again. To believers He would only be seen through His covenant relationship with them. This is the meaning of Matthew 5:6: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” John 3:3 is similar in meaning, using almost the same wording. Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. The kingdom does not come with observation. It is neither physical in nature nor observable by the human eye. Yet, it could be “seen” through obedience.
The World Would See Him No More
In John 14:19-23, Jesus taught that he would leave for a little while and return. Contrary to dispensationalists and futurists, the time interim between Jesus’ going away and return is “a little while” not a “long time.
“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. (Joh 14:19) At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (John 14:20) These are the same requirements of Matt 5:6 The Lord continues: He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (Joh 14:21)
That means they are disciples who have a pure heart. 4. Judas, did not understand what Jesus meant. 1. He had been with Jesus through his ministry, yet he didn’t grasp the meaning. If your bible is collecting dust on the coffee table, there’s a high chance you’re going by only what you’ve heard others say rather than through a careful independent study. Hence, few clearly understand how Jesus would return.
Others just take for granted that he would come visibly on clouds in a flesh and bone body mainly because of traditions.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” (Joh 14:22) Jesus emphatically stated what he said before: His disciples would see Him But the world would see Him no more. This speaks about his coming, His Parousia.
Clearly, Judas, who had followed Jesus from the beginning of His ministry had much difficulty with the statement. He reasoned that such was impossible. He was correct. If Jesus’ coming was physical flesh and bone, how could he be seen by the disciples and not by the world? Would he physically blind all who did not believe? No. This verse explains the nature of Jesus’ coming. It is not as a physical flesh and bone arrival as many believe. It is through covenant relationship with Him and His Father.
The Parousia Was Seen Only Through Covenant Relationship
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. This is only possible through a relationship. It explains how the Lord comes. It shows how he manifests or appears to believers. Those who had no covenant relationship did not see Him in blessed favor and love.
